Lots of play/slack in my outdrive! Help please!!

[avi8or3117]

Hello all,

I have searched these forums and this problems seems to be quite common. I have a 1989 wellcraft 233 Eclipse with a 5.7 MC engine, not quite sure if I have a alpha 1 or bravo 1 drive.

PROBLEM: I am able to push/wiggle the outdrive about 5-6 inches from side to side before I engage the steering and the wheel starts to turn.

Per previous threads I was able to locate the gimbal screws at the top of the housing and checked them. Visually they looked tight and I took a wrench to them and they are indeed tight. So what next??? Everything I've read does not explain the next course of action or how to fix this problem.

A local boat guy said that there is the cheap way of fixing this and a very expansive way of fixing this problem. Cheap way involves drilling some holes and torquing a screw that's not really ment to be over torqued(this may or may not fix the problem according to him). EXPANSIVE WAY involves removing entire engine and replacing the gimbal housing or ring! IS THAT TRUE???? That really seems like a lot of work.

If I leave this problem alone could this get worse or be dangerous?

I would really appreciate any help or advice on this issue or if what this guy said is true.
THANKS

 

[Bondo]

Re: Lots of play/slack in my outdrive! Help please!!

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,...

Trouble shootin' this is sorta a 3 person job...
1 person holdin' or shaking the steering wheel,...
1 person holdin' or shaking the drive...
'n the 3rd person with his head stuck down in by the transom, observing what's movin', 'n what ain't...

As 1 of the first 2 shakes whichever end they're holding, the 3rd person will be Identifying Exactly where the Slop is...
While a worn gimbel ring is entirely possible, it ain't the Only place that wears out....

 

[achris]

Re: Lots of play/slack in my outdrive! Help please!!

What ^ said +

There is no cheap fix. But, the engine does not need to be removed. Besides, pulling the engine is no big deal. I see a lot of people get twitchy about having to remove the engine. Trust me, it only takes about 2 hours to pull an engine (and that's one that's half buried under a transom deck!)

The cause is USUALLY a worn upper swivel shaft (but that needs to be verified the way Bond-o said) and the ONLY repair that should be considered it to replace the swivel shaft, and steering lever. If you have 2 screws in the top of the gimbal ring, either side of swivel shaft, you likely already have the 'square' gimbal ring and shouldn't need a new one.

Once you have enlisted your helpers and found the true source of the slop, come back and let us know...

Chris....

 

[Exotic4x4]

Re: Lots of play/slack in my outdrive! Help please!!

^^ agrees with achris, you maybe lucky and have a bolt worn or a few that are loose on the steering arms, they're supposed to have a locking nut on them all but after time the plastic on them decays and could potentially cause the nut to back off, I bet if you stick your hand on the steering arms youd be able to move them and tell what your problem is,try taking them and see if you have a lot of up and down play that's my .002$

 

[starsnstripers]

Re: Lots of play/slack in my outdrive! Help please!!

Thats alot of play, dont put it off and yes it can be dangerous. It's not going to get better on it's own for sure. Get a light and look in at the steering arm and trouble shoot it. Get back with us and we'll go from there.

 

[cdiamond]

Re: Lots of play/slack in my outdrive! Help please!!

well achris is almost correct when he says usually the steering shaft wears out

what actually happens is that the gimbel ring itself wears out

this is due to the fact that the steering shaft is steel and the gimbel ring is aluminum

when any looseness develops and is neglected which one do you think wears - duh - the aluminum

 

[avi8or3117]

Re: Lots of play/slack in my outdrive! Help please!!

Thanks a lot for help everyone!!
Does anymore have a diagram and the parts labeled for this setup? Example: what's the upper swivel shaft, steering lever, and steering arm?

Per the last post. If the gimbal ring itself is worn, because it's aluminum, how do I tighten it up or fix it? Do I have to replace the entire ring? If so does that mean I have to pull the engine?

Is there a quick/safe fix for this problem?? Any videos out there? If I take it to a mechanic how much would this cost to repair?

Lastly does anyone know of a good/honest mechanic in the Jacksonville FL area?

Thank you!

 

[achris]

Re: Lots of play/slack in my outdrive! Help please!!

... Example: what's the upper swivel shaft, steering lever, and steering arm?

Per the last post. If the gimbal ring itself is worn, because it's aluminum, how do I tighten it up or fix it? Do I have to replace the entire ring? If so does that mean I have to pull the engine?

If the gimbal ring is worn, you replace it. It can not be tightened if you already have that much movement. The engine does not need to be removed, but it would make it easier.

Is there a quick/safe fix for this problem??

As already said a few times. There is no cheap/quick fix. The way it is is dangerous and needs to be fixed PROPERLY...

Any videos out there? If I take it to a mechanic how much would this cost to repair?

There are quite a few hours of labour involved, depending on what needs to be replaced. The later model transom assemblies had a square coupling to the gimbal ring and a splined (steel to steel) coupling with the steering arm. I have attached a drawing showing the different parts. This drawing is of the square-square shaft, but the square-spline shaft set up is exactly the same. If the bolts clamping the gimbal ring to the shaft are tight, and the gimbal ring is gripping the shaft properly, then the wear is between the steel shaft and the steel steering arm...

But again, you need to get help to verify what is actually worn (the way Bond-o described) ,not just guess at it...

This drawing was taken from the service manual, the same one I gave you the link to download.

 

[avi8or3117]

Re: Lots of play/slack in my outdrive! Help please!!

"achris" where is that link to the service manual? I don't see any link, but that could be because I'm still new to the site. Where should I look? Are you referring to the attached thumbnail at the bottom of your post?

In your opinion could this repair be done by someone like me? I'm no mechanic, but I believe I have basic mechanic knowledge. Average joe with basic engine/outdrive knowledge? Also to do this does the outdrive need to be removed completely? If so are there videos or more service manual pages to help?

Any idea how much a new ring or swivel shaft would cost?

Thanks again for your help. I know my questions are a pain in the a**, but I sure do appreciate the help.

 

[achris]

Re: Lots of play/slack in my outdrive! Help please!!

"achris" where is that link to the service manual? ...

Err, right here -> http://www.4shared.com/document/zz_5pj9o/Service_Manual_06.html

Sorry about that. I've been replying to a lot of similar threads and I loss track of who's what.... That manual is for the Alpha drives. You said you didn't know what you had, so check it. Easy question for you.... When you are operating the boat and put it into forward gear, is it nice and smooth or is there a 'clunk' as it goes in? Smooth = Bravo, clunk = Alpha....

Can the job be done by you? If you have reasonable mechanical skills and a good eye for detail, I believe it can be. Just follow the book, WORD FOR WORD! As for the price of parts, I'm in Australia, they are outrageously expensive, you're in the US, quite cheap by comparison...

Cheers and good luck.... Remember that all this is based on an assumption, that it is a worn shaft/arm. Please verify that before you order parts and start tearing into it....

Chris........

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Lots of play/slack in my outdrive! Help please!!

Hello all,

a alpha 1 or bravo 1 drive.

Visually they looked tight and I took a wrench to them and they are indeed tight. So what next??

Need to know which.

That will not do, if an Alpha 1 you need to retorque to 55 ft lb, no guessing. If the bolts were tight there would not have been any play in the first place. If that does not remove all of the play then more extensive repairs are in order. This is what is involved, if you do not remove the engine: http://www.mercstuff.com/gimbalringinst.htm

 

[avi8or3117]

Re: Lots of play/slack in my outdrive! Help please!!

I'm about 90% sure I have an alpha. I don't have the owners manul so I can't be 100% certain. I will torque to 55 lbs and see what happens. If that does not work then I will troubleshoot further.

Stonyloam, your link, what is that for? The procedure explained will do what exactly? Tighen the gimbal ring? Tighten the swivel shaft. Allow me to remove the steering arm?

Option number 2. Removing the engine. Can this be done without much difficulty? Are there any how-to videos on this site?

 

[cdiamond]

Re: Lots of play/slack in my outdrive! Help please!!

if you plan on keeping this boat, and using it.

do yourself a favor

replace the outer transom assembly

then you have something that is safe and reliable

the option offered to repair or replace the damaged parts

is going to require drilling 1 inch holes in your transom housing

to access the hardware ( nuts & bolts) for any dis-assembly without removing the engine

a new assembly will include all new bellows, gimbel bearing, shift cable, trim hoses, and more

it looks like a lot of money up front but a few years down the road you realize you did the best option

this is what i recommend to all my customers - i have been a certified sterndrive tech since 1982

 

[alame]

Re: Lots of play/slack in my outdrive! Help please!!

when i bought my boat the "play" in the drive was also a concern of mine, when the boat was winterized I made a point of having that checked out cause I would have that fixed due to all the horror stories out there, the guy who looked it all over said " don't worry, it will go for years like that" and he had been looking in all the nooks and cranies for the source of the "play" ...he aso explained to me what the causes can be so I was satisfied with that explanation and will monitor the system..........everybody out there is looking to spend your money for ya in some cases I suspect.......bottom line is get it looked at and its no big deal to fix it yourself when you got the time.

 

[cdiamond]

Re: Lots of play/slack in my outdrive! Help please!!

WOW !

"don't worry it will go for years like that"

i think you better get another 'guy' to look at it

perhaps, i don't know, maybe a certified mercruiser tech

we're talking about the steering of the boat here

under the right conditions, the outdrive can swing to the opposite direction

possibly throwing passengers about the boat or even overboard

don't operate your boat in an unsafe condition

 

[avi8or3117]

Re: Lots of play/slack in my outdrive! Help please!!

Stonyloam. When you say replace the outer transom assembly you are referring to everything from the back of the boat back, minus the drive? The gimbal housing, steering lever, gimbal ring, bellows, etc? That's might be a good option. Would this option require me to pull the motor??

 

[avi8or3117]

Re: Lots of play/slack in my outdrive! Help please!!

Sorry ment cdiamond

Thanks

 

[Bondo]

Re: Lots of play/slack in my outdrive! Help please!!

That's might be a good option. Would this option require me to pull the motor??

Ayuh,... That's a rather Extreme option...
'n Yes, considering All of the driveline is hung off the transom assembly, the motor absolutely Has to come out...

 

[Pete104]

Re: Lots of play/slack in my outdrive! Help please!!

avi8or, is pulling the engine giving you the "willies"? That is really very easy!
While I'm not totally convinced you should replace it as an assembly, you have to do something. I have seen them online for a thousand bucks. Not knowing what shape yours is in, that may be the route to go.

 

[cdiamond]

Re: Lots of play/slack in my outdrive! Help please!!

extreme option -

i don't know about that

is a transom assy. operated in salt water for the past 20 something years

a good place to dump a bunch of money in ?

in my opinion - only if it is in REALLY GOOD condition

go price a gimbel ring, steering shaft, steering arm etc...

if the bellows aren't almost new it's foolish not to replace them also

as you can see it adds up quick

also a new assembly from mercruiser comes with a one year warranty

we report - you decide